A Record on Minnesota Disability Services

See the Work.
Read the Stories.

Bill Lieske is a husband, father, chiropractor, and State Senator who spent countless hours meeting with providers, individuals with disabilities, guardians, and families to understand what was happening to Minnesota's disability services.

Senator Bill Lieske

The Work

Protecting Choice and the Olmstead Promise

Minnesota's Olmstead commitment is the promise that people with disabilities can choose to live in the most integrated, community-based setting that works for them — not be pushed into institutions. Senator Lieske has worked to defend that choice, meeting with the families and individuals who feared losing the homes and supports they depend on.

Holding Government Accountable

When the state abruptly terminated the Medicaid enrollment of thousands of service providers, Senator Lieske pressed for answers on behalf of the families and organizations caught in the fallout. He has called for transparency at the Department of Human Services and for protections so that legitimate providers are not cut off over paperwork errors.

Saving Taxpayer Dollars Through Cost-Effective Family Models

Family Residential Services let people with significant disabilities live in a real home with a family who supports them around the clock — and they cost the state far less than institutional care. Senator Lieske authored an amendment, passed by the Senate with bipartisan support, to stabilize these providers before more homes close.

A Difficult Vote: Why He Opposed the Omnibus Bill

Senator Lieske opposed the end-of-session budget agreement because it paired a temporary fee reduction with hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to human services. He had authored a fix that passed the Senate with bipartisan support; when it was left out of the final deal, he could not vote yes.

Media Coverage

Real Stories from Families and Individuals

Behind every vote and every hearing are real Minnesotans. These are their words.

My husband quit his job to care for our 15-year-old foster son, who is nonverbal and autistic. Our pay was cut more than 60% — now we can’t even afford the car rides to state parks that bring him joy.
Sherie L. · family foster care, Saginaw
I’ve been a provider for 17 years. I’ve had to let my staff go and look for outside work just to get by. But I can’t close my doors — these are family in need.
Bonnie M. · FRS provider, 17 years
I care for adults with significant medical and behavioral needs in my own home, around the clock. If these cuts stand, homes will close and people who depend on the security of a family setting will be uprooted.
Linda F. · FRS provider